Software · head to head
Grammarly vs LanguageTool
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Grammarly occasional false positives and grammatically incorrect suggestions that can introduce errors; LanguageTool free tier limited to basic spelling and simple punctuation; advanced punctuation and style issues caught only on premium
- They diverge on capability: Grammarly covers Spelling correction, LanguageTool covers Multi-language support.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Grammarly and LanguageTool actually diverge.
| Attribute | Grammarly | LanguageTool |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android | Web editor, Windows desktop app, macOS desktop app, Chrome extension, Firefox extension, Edge extension, Safari extension, Opera extension, Google Docs, Microsoft Word, iOS app |
| Founded | 2009 | 2003 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Grammarly
- Spelling correction
- Punctuation
- Clarity suggestions
- Engagement feedback
- Delivery insights
- Plagiarism checker
- Citation generator
- Chrome
Only in LanguageTool
- Multi-language support
- Style suggestions
- Personal dictionary
- Chrome support
- Firefox support
- Edge support
- Safari support
- Opera support
Both cover
- Grammar checking
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Grammarly
- Email writingnot LanguageTool
- Document editingnot LanguageTool
- Academic writingnot LanguageTool
- Business communicationnot LanguageTool
- Content creationnot LanguageTool
LanguageTool
- Grammar and spelling correction across web and desktopnot Grammarly
- Style and clarity improvementsnot Grammarly
- Multilingual writing assistancenot Grammarly
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Grammarly
- Occasional false positives and grammatically incorrect suggestions that can introduce errors
- Privacy concerns about sending text to Grammarly's servers for analysis
- AI capabilities sometimes produce hallucinations and fabricated citations that appear grammatically correct
LanguageTool
- Free tier limited to basic spelling and simple punctuation; advanced punctuation and style issues caught only on premium
- Picky Mode (advanced typography) unavailable on free plan
- Specific pricing not displayed on main page; requires navigation to purchase flow
Pricing, plan by plan
Grammarly
Free- FreeFree
- Basic grammar and spelling checks
- Tone visibility
- 100 AI prompts per month
- Pro$12/month
- Sentence rewrites
- Tone adjustment
- Plagiarism and AI detection
LanguageTool
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the LanguageTool review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Grammarly if
- You need spelling correction.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
- You also want punctuation.
Choose LanguageTool if
- You need multi-language support.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web editor, Windows desktop app, macOS desktop app, Chrome extension, Firefox extension, Edge extension, Safari extension, Opera extension, Google Docs, Microsoft Word, iOS app.
- You also want style suggestions.
Questions people ask
- Is Grammarly or LanguageTool better?
- Neither clearly leads. Grammarly starts at Free and LanguageTool at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Grammarly or LanguageTool?
- Grammarly starts at Free and LanguageTool at Free.
- Does Grammarly or LanguageTool run on more platforms?
- Grammarly runs on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android. LanguageTool runs on Web editor, Windows desktop app, macOS desktop app, Chrome extension, Firefox extension, Edge extension, Safari extension, Opera extension, Google Docs, Microsoft Word, iOS app.
- Can I use Grammarly for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Grammarly best used for?
- Grammarly is most often used for email writing, document editing, academic writing, business communication. Of those, email writing and document editing are not what LanguageTool is typically brought in for.
- What can Grammarly do that LanguageTool cannot?
- Grammarly covers Spelling correction, Punctuation, Clarity suggestions, Engagement feedback. LanguageTool covers Multi-language support, Style suggestions, Personal dictionary, Chrome support. Both handle Grammar checking.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Grammarly: Does Grammarly have a free version?
Yes, Grammarly offers a free tier with basic spelling, grammar, and punctuation checks, tone visibility, and 100 AI prompts per month. The Pro plan ($12/month annual) adds sentence rewriting, plagiarism detection, and 2,000 AI prompts.
SourceGrammarly: What platforms does Grammarly work with?
Grammarly works across 1 million+ apps including Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Outlook, Slack, Gmail, and web browsers. It also integrates with productivity tools like Asana, Jira, Monday.com, Confluence, and HubSpot.
SourceGrammarly: Can I use Grammarly offline?
Grammarly requires an internet connection to function, though the browser extension works with some offline text areas. For offline use, the desktop app and browser extensions sync when reconnected.
SourceGrammarly: What is included in the Enterprise plan?
The Enterprise plan includes unlimited team members, dedicated support, custom roles and permissions, data loss prevention, bring-your-own-key encryption, and unlimited AI prompts. Pricing is custom and available by contacting sales.
Source